Hi all you nice people out there. I am 76 and have completed five and a half weeks of radiotherapy (plus two sessions of chemo) for rectal cancer. As a result I have been told that I might need vaginal dilation and have been supplied with a kit. The leaflet says I might not need it, and there are alternatives, but on the other hand I might need to use it indefinitely, the idea of which I find quite daunting. I have my first follow up appointment soon and can ask about it then but does anyone have experiences that they can share?
Hi Susie T
I had 5 weeks of pelvic radiotherapy for endometrial cancer.
I was given the dilators as well. Although at first I was daunted- actually you soon get into the habit. Start with the smallest one and use some lubrication. In the end the reason I decided to go ahead was that I was told it was easier to use them from the start than to start later on when there was a problem. I used every other day to begin with and now am down to a couple of times a week. Hopefully from next check up, once a week.
Good Luck and do chat with your CNS at your next appointment. I would say to give it a go - the thought of it was worse than actually doing it. I didn't find I had any pain. If you give it a go before the appointment then it gives you a chance to raise any issues at the appointment perhaps.
Jane
